October 2024 Gratitude

“Be Grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” Rumi

October began with a break with my friends as I was busy completing my PG exams in Philosophy. Then ready with my classes for my certification course in Yoga. I enjoyed the break with my friends enjoyed swimming for a long time, joined the rain dance and with good food, walking  around this place was beautiful – I joined the potter to have an experience in creating some lovely molds in the clay, it was fun to do it with friends. I am grateful for this lovely break and it really helped me to refresh myself and get back to my routine.

I am grateful for the gift of– Sr Joshina who celebrated her 75^th birthday this month. It’s a huge milestone and I was glad to spend some time with her and the community.  She is one of the sister who I have been in touch after my sister’s death for almost 3 decades. I thank God for her constant encouragement and motivation, always praying  for our family.

I am grateful that I could connect with one of my best friend and a colleague, Cecilia, we worked together in the same organization for many years and I wanted to connect with her as she turned 70 this month. – it was my privilege to meet her and her husband Babu and  catch up with them , glad to have some friends with whom we can connect any time in life.

This month looked like a friendship month for me as I connected with so many friends, some for breakfast, still others for lunch and dinner – the best part of this meetings were not planned at all and I am grateful that these things just happened, one friend stopped by near my workplace to connect; another one during my lunch time; I thank God for all of them, for I did not have to do anything to change my schedule and could still continue my work without taking any leave. I call these happenings blessings and favors sent from above.

This month is also Dusherra – and Dorothy loves to dance; and she joined her friends for the dandiya night, for one such night organized at the police academy I joined her along with my sister in law and her daughter - we went it was a beautiful place, full security and plenty of stalls, and the DJ was motivating everyone to dance. We enjoyed dancing with the crowd with unknown people, but never felt strange – there was a kind of warmth as we went around in the ground, rested whenever we felt like and it was great fun; after which we went out for dinner and came home tired and happy.  I thank God for this event which is open for all and we could dance without any inhibitions.

 

This month I am grateful to God for my 25^th wedding anniversary – it’s a long duration and not been easy. when I look at all those years that have passed by – I praise God for being so faithful in our journey and have led us to find meaning and purpose for our lives.  I am glad that our relationship has evolved with enough space for each other to grow and answer God’s call in our lives. I am grateful for my family and friends for their prayers and good wishes.

This month my certification course in yoga came to a closure with all the 5 papers theory was taught. Assignments were submitted before the third week of this month. Exams were held, and we were trained to practice as per the yoga protocol given by the ministry of Ayush. There was a valedictory function and some of our yoga friends performed, sang the slokas and we had lunch together with a group photo and a memorable memento was given to each one of us.  I am grateful for this opportunity to learn – yoga for peace was the slogan.  I am glad that I could complete this programme in the second batch of this course organized and conducted by the department of Education, Osmania University, Hyderabad.

This month I was regular to my work – being dusherra holidays and admission time, there were not many students for counseling. The issues were mostly anxiety, career confusion, depression and trauma.

I am grateful that this month – I was invited for a session on “Communication &Relationships” for the hostel girls of St Pius. I was busy and this was a request so I took it up despite my schedule. This programme was for 100 girls  participated in the evening hours.  I addressed a lot of their questions, as they stay in hostel, they miss their home and some of them are addicted to their mobiles.

I felt sad to hear the news of one of my youngest choir member of my previous parish. He was just 45 years old and died suddenly due to heart attack. He is left with 3 young children, two of them in college and one in school. I found too many deaths in this month in my neighborhood – most of them were young men and a couple of them were elderly.  

Death is a great reminder that our lives on this earth is limited and we never know when our time will come, this makes me grateful for whatever time is left, for there is so much to accomplish in this life time. I just pray to the Lord that as long as I am alive – I will serve Him and make a difference in the lives of those around me.

This month I also took a positive step to go for a checkup. By God’s grace all well except for the vitamin D levels were very low. I visited the doctor and took all the supplements needed.  I am grateful as we have a CGHS card (Central Government Dispensary Card) I got all the vitamins for free, and I am happy for the decision.  

I was quite busy this month with so many things happening around me – long distance calls, chats, updates, unexpected gifts, so much of learnings, experiences that are precious, lessons learnt and the confidence to move on with courage and faith- I am grateful for every single day that has gone by; as I woke up with gratitude and slept with gratitude all the 31 days of this month.  I am blessed and favored in many ways.

Thanks for reading my post; hope you had a great month.

Be happy & Be Blessed!